BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 29. On September
28, Italian capital city of Rome hosted the presentation of a
documentary film "Harmony" highlighting Azerbaijan’s deep-rooted
traditions of tolerance and peaceful coexistence among various
religious groups.
Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation,
attended the event.
The production of the film is a collaborative effort between the
Baku Media Center, the Foundation for the Promotion of Moral
Values, and the State Committee of Azerbaijan for Work with
Religious Organizations. Head of the Baku Media Center Arzu Aliyeva
is the film's executive producer.
Alongside the Azerbaijani delegation, the ceremony brought
together high-ranking state officials of the Holy See, heads of
diplomatic missions, prominent religious leaders, and
representatives of various religious communities.
First, attendees viewed an exhibition highlighting Azerbaijan’s
rich religious and cultural heritage, as well as its centuries-old
multicultural values.
Addressing the event, Ilgar Mukhtarov, Azerbaijani Ambassador to
the Holy See, expressed his gratitude to all those involved in the
film’s production and said: "The documentary 'Harmony' invites us
to reflect on how diversity enriches our worldview and brings
people closer together. The film tells the story of three young
women from different faith backgrounds who share a common
motherland - Azerbaijan."
Noting that Islam, Christianity, and Judaism have deep
historical roots in Azerbaijani society, Ambassador Mukhtarov
added: "The mosques, churches, and synagogues across our country
stand not merely as structural monuments, but as vibrant pillars of
a living tradition of harmony. This legacy is firmly safeguarded
and fostered by state policies anchored in religious freedom, the
preservation of spiritual heritage, and the continuous advancement
of multicultural dialogue."
Father Laurent Basanese, Head of the Office for Islamic Affairs
of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue of the Holy See, read
out the address of Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, Prefect of the
Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue of the Holy See. In his
address, the Cardinal noted that the documentary “Harmony”
illustrates the tradition of peaceful coexistence among followers
of different religious faiths in Azerbaijan, set against a backdrop
of multiculturalism and mutual respect. He also mentioned that the
film’s very title serves as a poignant reminder: "Harmony does not
require erasing our differences; rather, it calls on us to embrace
this diversity in a spirit of mutual respect, dialogue, and
brotherhood."
Ramin Mammadov, Chairman of Azerbaijan's State Committee on
Affairs with Religious Associations, emphasized that located at the
crossroads of East and West, the Azerbaijani people have naturally
cultivated a culture of multiculturalism, mutual respect, and
peaceful coexistence over the centuries, passing this legacy down
through generations. He underlined that today, representatives of
various confessions and ethnic groups live, work, and create side
by side in peace and harmony across every corner of Azerbaijan.
The documentary continues to be showcased across international
festivals and cinema platforms.
The presentation concluded with the screening of the documentary
film "Harmony".
